Baseball, bicycles, and crosswalks: better analogies & graphics for equality vs. equity 🗣️
Differences between equality and equity, and how RWJF used feedback and data on the 'equality vs equity' analogy and graphic to improve on it (twice). (Audio: 9:20)
A LinkedIn post by Raven Solomon a few months ago gave a great explanation and visual on the differences between equality and equity.
Working Definitions (from RWJF 1):
Equality: “Everyone gets the same - regardless if it’s needed or right for them”
Equity: “Everyone gets what they need - understanding the barriers, circumstances, and conditions.”
Side-by-side graphics are commonly used to illustrate the difference between equality and equity. Here’s a quick look at how these graphics have evolved and improved over time, and why I love the latest one!
Version 1: Baseball games and boxes
One analogy that has circulated for years shows 3 people of different heights trying to see a baseball game over a fence.
Description: One person is taller than the fence and doesn’t have an impaired view. The second person is at eye level with the fence and can’t see the whole field. The third person can’t see the game at all; the fence completely blocks their view.
The ‘equality’ view shows giving each person one box to stand on. This helps the second person, but is unnecessary for the first person, and still leaves the third person unable to see over the fence.
In the ‘equity’ view, each person has been given 0, 1, or 2 boxes to stand on, and now all 3 can see the game over the fence.
There are many variations of this image. In one alternate version, a third ‘justice’ view shows that the fence has been removed, or no longer blocks viewing. So no boxes are needed, and everyone can see.
Here’s an example of the 3-pane baseball graphic showing equality, equity, and justice.
Version 2: Bicycles
In 2017 2, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) came up with a better illustration based on bicycles.
Description: Their graphic shows 4 people who want to ride a bike.
For the equality side, everyone is given the same standard bike. But the wheelchair user can’t use that bike at all. The tall person is uncomfortably hunched over and their knees bump the handlebars, because the bike’s too small for them. Someone would have had to boost the child onto the bike because the crossbar is too high, and the child can’t sit on the seat and still have their feet reach the pedals. The standard bike only works for 1 of the 4 people.
In the equity view, each person has a bike that fits them. The wheelchair user has a recumbent bike with hand controls, not requiring foot power. The tall person has a big bike that they don’t have to hunch over. The child has a small bike that is the right size for them. Everyone can ride.
To their credit, RWJF sought feedback on how to improve the new bicycle analogy. They came out with not 1, but 2, new and improved graphics in Nov. 2022 3.
Version 3a: Bicycles and Terrain
In the first new graphic, RWJF improved the bicycle analogy to show differences in terrain for 3 people.
Description: The equality view shows a child on bumpy terrain with a standard bike that’s taller than they are; it’s impossible for them to even get on it. A person with a standard bike and flat pavement is able to ride. A wheelchair user needing to go up a ramp can’t use the standard bike at all.
The equity view shows that the child who is riding over bumpy terrain gets a small mountain-style bike with bigger tires. The person riding on flat pavement gets a standard road bike their size; it works for them. And the right equipment for the wheelchair user isn’t a bike at all, but a power chair that can safely go up the ramp. Everyone can get to where they need to go.
Version 3b: Crosswalks and curb cuts
RWJF also came up with a completely different analogy. Instead of a baseball game or bicycles, it shows people at a crosswalk.
In the original view, it shows that the street curb is high, and there is a sign at the intersection to let sighted people know where to cross. One person easily manages to step off the sidewalk curb to the street level. The curb is clearly too high for a child’s shorter legs; the child is shown jumping down to the street. The tall curb prevents a wheelchair user and a blind person with a cane from safely accessing the street to cross. And none of the people can easily tell when it’s safe to try to cross.
In the equity view, the street curb and crosswalk are reshaped.
A ‘curb cut’ and a ramp with ridges have been added. These help the wheelchair user and the blind person safely reach street level. The child can now get to street level without jumping, and the ramp works well for the taller person too.
In addition to the static crosswalk sign, the intersection now has:
lighted indicators to show when it’s safe to walk and when not to start, and
a speaker which sounds when it’s safe to cross, and stops when it isn’t.
I love this last new analogy and graphic. Not only does this new intersection design help the 4 people pictured, removing the systemic barriers will help others not shown. Examples: people pushing strollers, using a rolling walker, or walking dogs. The changes to the crosswalk system make the street accessible to everyone without special equipment. (One downside might be that the crosswalk sound could be disturbing for people with auditory sensitivities, though.)
I also love that RWJF solicited input from a diverse group of people, gathered data, and used it to guide their improvement iterations. That is true little-a agile behavior at its finest!
What do you think? Could the graphics be further improved?
What’s Next?
With equality, equity, and DEI initiatives, it’s important to keep in mind that the real goal is to be fair to everyone, and that the focus is fixing the system, not ‘fixing’ the people. The people aren’t broken or deficient. The system that creates the barriers for people to varying degrees is what “needs fixed”.
I’ve had requests for future articles that share personal stories of how inequity has caused real harms to real people, and how changes to the systems were the best solutions. I’m giving some thought to which of my own inequity stories I might be willing to share.
I know many who have experienced inequitable situations, at work or elsewhere. (In fact, I probably know more people who have than people who haven’t.) If YOU have, AND you would be comfortable sharing in a guest post in this newsletter section, or if you already have an article on this topic that could be cross-posted, please message me!
Credits
This article was inspired by a LinkedIn post by Paul Ladipo about the newest graphics from RWJF (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). I learn so much from following Paul!
Infographic on equality vs. equity is by Raven Solomon Enterprises, used with permission. Her insights and perspectives add value to my life, and I highly recommend following Raven.
All RWJF images are shared in accordance with their terms of use 4 and linked to their original images if a larger view is needed.
Thank you to Catherine Louis and Rose G for their kind feedback on drafts of this article!
End Notes
“Visualizing Health Equity: One Size Does Not Fit All Infographic”, RWJF Data and Evidence, 2017-06-30 (updated with two 2022 infographics).
“We Used Your Insights to Update Our Graphic on Equity”, RWJF blog post by Joan Barlow, 2022-11-21.
RWJF licensing terms: "You may use the infographics on this page, whether pursued on a charitable or commercial basis, for educational and informational purposes without our permission provided you do not charge a fee in connection with your use of the infographics or revise the infographics in any way.”
For anyone looking for additional insight into equality vs. equity, check out this March 2023 post by Rachael Lemon: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-surviving-thriving-understanding-power-equity-over-rachael-lemon/. As she says: "Justice is the ultimate goal of equity. It’s about creating a society where everyone has an equal chance to thrive and succeed, regardless of their circumstances. This means recognising and addressing past wrongs, as well as creating systems and structures that ensure fairness and equality for all."